Duplicating apparatus



June 4, GQ BER-Al'lNETTl ETAL 1,715,893

DUPLI CAT ING APPARATUS lFiled 'April 9, A1927 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l,

June 4, 1929. G. BERTINTT'. ET AL l 1,715,893 UPLICATING APPARATUS Filed April 9. 1927 V2 sheets-sheet `2 Patented June 4,- 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GIOVANNI BERTIETTI AND EDGAR'DO GATTINO, 0F TURIN, ITALY.

j i DUPLICATING APPARATUS.

Ii'ippucatifm mea April 9, 1927, serial No.

The present invention relates to duplication of writings, drawings, printed matter and the like by means of flexible printing plates consisting of very thin metal sheets, say of aluminium, in which relief portions are provided by hand tracing or -by pressure or by an impact action, as obtained say by means of the types of a standard typewriter.

The invention comprises a rotary duplicator in which a plate of the kind above .referred to is tit-ted on a rotary drum inv a direction transverse toit, that is with the writing lines arranged substantially along parallel circles of the cylindrical surface of said drum and lying in planes perpendicular with respect to. the drum axis.

The invention comprises'also a rotary duplicator ofthe type above'referred to, in which are provided means for adjusting the pressure of the platen roller on the printing plate drum and for removing said pressure as soon as smooth portions of the print- -ing plate are lying under the said platen roller, as well as means, for engaging said printing plate and tensioning ity on said drum. A

On the annexed drawings is shown by way of example a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and:

Figure 1 is a side view of such, ment; t

Figure 2 is an end View looking toward the left in Fig. l;

Figure 3 is a similar view looking toward the right in Fig. 1; i

Figure 4 is a* fragmentary horizontal section on an enlarged scale along broken line 4-4 of Fig. 6 ofone longitudinal edge of a segmental drum member carrying the printing plate, to show one of the clamping devices for said printing plate;

Figure 5 is a front view of the same edge and Figure 6 is a cross-section to an'enlarged scale of the printing 'plate carrier or segmental drum on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, 1 is the machine frame which is adapted to carry a box 2 intended to contain suppliesto' be used with thel machine; two standards 3 and 4 are fastened at the ends of said frame embodi- 182,472, and in Italy December 29, 1926.

`1 and constitute supports for the hollow .which it is journalled on a stationary spindle 7 fastened on standards 3 and 4.

means, say by means of a crank handle 8 actuating a pinion 9 mounted to rotate on standard 3 and meshing with a pinion 10 which is solid with head 6.l

The printing plate, designated A in Figures 1 and 6, is located on-the outer surface of the segmental drum 5 and the edges of said segmental drum are provided with means for clamping the printing plate edges and for tensioning said printing plate.

Each of said clamping means consists of two bars 11a and 12a and 11-12 (Figures 4, 5, 6) interconnected at one end by a pivot pin 29 (Figs. 4 and 5) and having a stepped cross section (Figure 6) so as to abut against each other along shoulders 11-12. On one edfre of said segmental drum 5 the bar 11a is fastened on'the bar directly, and the adjacent drum edge is provided with an overturned support 13 in which is mounted a plunger 30acted on by a spring 14 which bears on the cooperating bar 12El when the latter is engaged with the bar 11a to force the bars against each other and grasp there.- between the edge of the printing plate (see left Vportion of Fig. 6).

On the opposite edge of segmental drinn 5 (right hand portion of Fig. 6) the bar 11y is pivoted on aligned pivot pins 11 in heads 6 6 (Fig. 5) and thus the said bar ma be swung around the axis of pins 11 which is distinct from the bar axis; said bar 11 has a fork 15 adapted to embrace a screw threaded spindle 16 which is fastened' on a projection 32 of drum 5 and has at its end a nut 17 adapted to compress-a spring 43 located on said spindle between said nutand `fork 15. Angular lugs 31 fastened on bar 11 act to engage bar 12 and hold it in posit-ion over bar 11 with the printing plate edge engaged therebetween. Cups 44-44 loose on spindle 16- improve the manipulation of the parts. y

. 60 Said drum is rotated by any suitable rlhe printing plate edges are engaged between bars 11a- 12a and 11-12 respectively by moving bars 12-12a around the respective pivot pins 29 as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4, and then said bars 12a-42 are swung back over cooperating bars 11a, 11 to grasp said printing plate edges between the shoulders or abutments of said bars.

Then by manipulating nut 17 the bars 11.--12 may be moved inwardly (Fig. 6) as a unit to tension the printing plat-e A located over the segmental druni 5 and having its edges engaged between bars 11a-12and 11-12 respectively.

On standards 3 and 4 is `also mounted a spindle 33 journalled in bearing blocks 18 which'are slidable in said standards and are acted on by springs 19 and by arms 2O engaging the ends of said spindle 33, thus enabling the operator to move said bearing blocks 18 and spindle 33, with the platen roller 21 on said spindle, away from the spindle 7 and drum 5 against the'action of said springs-19. The-arms or levers 20 are provided with pairs of notches 45 in their upper surfaces, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3; and these notches, in turn, coact with pins 46 fixed to standards 3 and 4, whereby said arms are retained in either normal or operated position. '.he platen roller 21 has a lining of soft material, adapted to produce the required printing pressure on the paper to be printed on, to force it on the printing plate A during the printing operation.

The pressure of platen roller 21 against segmental drum 5 and printing plate A must be removed at given periods in the revolution of the segmental drum 5 in order to make the platen roller pressure ineffective when in register with portions of said printing plate which are free .from printing reliefs, so as to prevent thepaper from being forced against the printing plate or against the inking surfaces in the portions where no printing is to occur.

For this purpose the heads 6-6 project slightly above the surface of the drum 5 on which the printing plate is located, as shown in Figure 1.

More particularly, the amount of projection of heads 6-6 over the surface of said drum 5 is less than the combined thickness Y ofthe relief portions of the printing plate and ofthe inking means, if any,vand greater than the combined thickness of the smooth portions of theprinting plate and the inking means, if any, if such inking means are located intermediate the printing plate and the paper to be printed on, as in the present construction.

Thus it follows that the reliefs of the printing plate may exert a printing pressure on the paper, while the smooth portions of the printing plate and of the inking means,`

if any, are prevented from contacting with and soiling the paper, the platen roller 21 being held spaced therefrom by the projecting edges of heads 6-6.

Of course in this connection the thickness of the paper is of no material account; however, if required, due account of the thicle ness of the material to be printed on may be had in proportioning the projection of heads G--6 over the surface of segmental drum 5.

For the same purpose collars may be provided on the ends of the platen roller 21, said collars bearing on the surface of heads 6 6 to hold the surfaces of platen roller 21 and segmental drum 5 spaced from each other to the required extent.

To provide for a larger spacing of the platen roller and the drum in register with the edges of the printing plate where the paper to be printed must be prevented from being soiled, said heads 6-6 are each provided with spacers 22 covering a portion of the periphery of the same and adjust-able on spindle 7 by means of wings 23 whose angular position on heads 6 6 may be adjusted at will by means of slots 24 and set screws 25. Each of said spacers 22 provides thus for increasing the size of the cooperating heads 6 6 at the required point and for separating the platen roller 21 fronrthe printing surface.

In the apparatus as above described the printing is e-Hected by means of an inking ribbon 26 located on bobbins 27 and 28 mounted to rotate in said drum 5, said bobbins being operated during each revolution' of drum 5 to move the said ribbon one step forward.

This operation is obtained by means of ratchet pinions 34-35 rigidly attached to bobbins 27 and 28 and actuated by a pawl 36 pivoted for swinging movement on a pin 41 fixed to a slide 37 Which is mounted to reciprocate in guides 38 provided on head 6, said slide having-a pin 39 adapted to strike against a stationary abutment 40 on the inner face of standard 4 during each revolution of the drum 5 and head 6 carrying it; a spring 42 acts to force the pawl 36 into engagement with either of ratchet pinions 34-35 at will, as apparent.

For the removal of the inlcing ribbon 26 the bobbins 27-28 have their ends journalled in heads 6-6 bv means Iof spring -pressed pins (not shown) adapted to be,

pushed back by a longitudinal movement of the bobbins, to permit the disengagement of the latter from said. heads 6 6.

The printing plate could also be inked by other means, say by an inking roller, in the well'known manner.

The o eration is as follows: The printing plate w ich consists, as stated above, of a thin metal sheet A having writings in relief thereon obtained by inserting the sheet in a typewriter in lieu of a paper sheet and titl manipulating the keys in the usual manner, is located on the surface of the segmental drum (Fig. (i) with the lines of writing arranged in transverse direction with respect to the axis of said drum and its lower edge is engaged between bars l1-12 which are then clamped on each other to grasp said edge therebetween; said printing plate is carefully arranged over the surface of drum 5 and its upper edge is then engaged between bars ll-1Q.\vhereafter the knob '17 is manipulated to canse the interconnected bars 11--12 to move around the pivot pins 1l and to tension said printing plate. 'lhc spacers 9,2 are then moved into register with the edges wherel the printing plate is not provided with writings and are fastened in adjusted position by means vof the set screws and then the ribbon bohhins BT-Qtw are located in position in the heads t-t' with the. ribbon 2G arranged over the printing plate. y

A paper sheet is then inserted between the platen roller 2l and the segmental drum 5 having the'printing plate and the ribbon thereon, and the handle 8 is rotated; said sheet is thus engaged between said platen roller 2l and drum 5 and moved forward therebetween, itbeing at the same time forced by springs 19 and platen roller Qt against the inking ribbon and printing plate so that the writings of said printing plate are thus reproduced on said sheet.

The printing pressure is produced by springs 19 acting on spindle. 32S ot platen roller 21, and said pressure is operative, only in respect of tliese reliefs of said printing plate which project beyond the rinis of heads (3-6; while in register with depressed or smooth portions of said printing plate or of edges of the same, the pressure action is removed by the projectingr ends of heads (3-6 or by the spacers 22.

Owing to the described arrangement of the printing plate, the printing operation begins at. one side of the writing and goes forward along the writing lines which provide a set of parallel and substantially even spaced ribs located along peripheral lilies of said printing plate and segmental drum, so that the inlting ribbon is prevented from projecting into the spaces intermediate the writing lines 'as tould happen should the printing operation proceed in a direction perpemlicular to the writing lines.

Very satisfactory and clean prints may thus he produced from printing plates consisting of very thin metal sheets having embossed printing reliefs or characters. i

As apparent from the above description of the operation, the method according to the present invention involves the arrangement of a. printing plate consisting of ay thin metal sheet having reliefs providing lines of writing or other matters to be duplicated, on

a support having the shape of al portion ot a cylinder, with the lines of writing arranged along parallel circles lying on said cylindrical surface; and, further, the present invention yinvolves the use of spacing means cooperating with a platen roller, said means being adapted to move said platen roller away from Said printing plate support and the inking means located thereon, if any, to such an extent as to prevent contact of the material to be printed on with the reliefs of said printing plate and inking means. i

By the, above method of printing a plate of the described character, the result is obtained that the pressure is evenly distributed over the vwhole extent of the line of contact between saidA printing plate. and platen roller, the lwriting being distributed in a substantially even manner over the whole extent of the printing plate; and the relief lines of the printing plate provide annular ribs which act to hold uniform and even the distance and pressure ot' the printing plate drum and platen roller with respect. t-o each other.

Furtherq owing to said arrangement, the inking ribbon located between said printing plate and platen roller is held stretched without being liable to become wrinkled and to enter the spaces between t-he writing lines as it would do should parallel relief lines and depressions come in register with the platen roller as in the case of a printing plate. arranged with relief lines of writings parallel with the Contact line 0f the printing plate and platen roller. l

that we claim as our invention and de.- sire to secure by United States Letters Patent isz- 1. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mounted to rotate on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means for clampinga sheetmetal printing plate on said drum with its lines of writing transverse to the axis -of said drumha platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum, means for inlting said printing plate, and meansfor removing the printing ressure from the flat portions of said plate.

2. duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a segmental druni mounted to rotate. on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means on one ot the edges of said segmental drum to grasp one edge of said printing plate, said printing plate heilig arranged on said drum with its lines of writing transverse to the axis of said drum, means on the sheet having relief printing characters Aeo thereon, comprising supporti parts, a segmental driiiii mounted to'rotate on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means on one of the edges of said segmental drum to grasp one edge of said printing plate, said printing plate being arranged on said drum with its lines of Writing transverse tothe axis of said drum, means on the other edge of said segmental drum for grasping the other edge of said printing plate, said asping means consisting each of'longitudinally stepped 'bars adapted to.

be clamped on 'each other with an edge of said printing plate therebetween, means acting on one of said grasping means for tensioning said printing plate on said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum, means for removing `the printing pressure from the flat portions of said plate, and means for inking said printing plate.

4..A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having 'relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a segmental drum mounted to rotate on said supportparts, means for driving said drum, means on one ofthe edges of said segmental drum to grasp one edge of said printing plate, said printing plate being arranged on 'said drum with its lines of writing transverse'to the axisof said drum, means on the other edge of said segmental drum forgra ing the other edge of said printing plase, said grasping means consisting each of a longitudinally stepped bar and of a respectively-movable and counter-stepped bar, cooperating means on said bars for clamping them on each other with one edge of'said printing platte therebetween, means acting on oneof. said grasping means for tensioning said printing plate onsaid drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum, means for inking said printing plate', and means for removing the printing pressure from the flat portions of said printing plate.

' 5. A duplicating apparatus .for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having `reliefprinting characters thereon, comprising support parts, a segmei'italdriln'i mounted to rotate on said sup- 'port parts, means for said drum,

Ameans onone o fthej'loiigitudina'l-edges o f shifting the grasping means for the last? named printing plate edge with respect'to the first-named one for tensioning said printing plate on said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum,'means for inking said printing plate, and means for removing the printing pressure from .the

flat portions of said printing plate.

6. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metai sheet4 having reliet` printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a segmental drum mounted to rotate on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means. on one of the longitudinal edges of said segmental drum -for grasping one edge of said printing plate, said printing plate being arranged onsaid drum with its lines of writing. transverse to the axis of' said Y driim,nieansf on the 'other longitudinal edge ot said segmental drum for grasping the other edge of said printing plate, the lastnamed means being pivoted on said segmental drum along a'line distinct from the line of grasping of said printing plate edge therebetween` means oradjusting said lastnamed grasping means with respect to said pivotal line for tensioning said printing plate onsaid drum', a platen roller, means for forcing said platen -roller against said printing plate and drum, means for inking said printing plate, and means for removing the printing pressure .from the fiat portions of said plate.

7. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a segmental drum mounted to rotated on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means i' on the edges Vor' said segmental drum for -v grasping andtensioning saidv printing plate.

on said drum. said printing plate being ai'- ranged on said drum with its lines of Writing' transverse to the axis of said drum, an inking` ribbon passing over said printing plate and segmental drum, means in said segmental drum for supporting and feeding-said inking ribbon, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said inking ribbon, printing plate and drum, and means for-removing the printing pressure from the flat portions of` said printing plate.

8. A duplicatingv apparatus for rinting from a' rinting plate that consists o a metal sheet p ate having relief printing characters thereon', comprising support parts, a,A seg.

mental drum mounted to .rotate on said sup- .plate and drum, removable bobbins in saidA drum for supporting said inking ribbon, meansl on said druln and supporting parts to drive either of said bobbins one step during each revolutirm ofsaid drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said inking ribbon, printing plate and drum, and means forrcmoving the printing lires" sure from the fiat portions of said printing plate.

9. A duplicatingr apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheetr having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mounted to rotatie` on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means for clamping a sheet metal printing plate on said drum with its lines of writing transverse to the axis ot' said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and druin, means for inking said printing plate, and spacing means between said drum and platen roller, said. spacing means having a thickness greater than that of the fiat portions of said printing plate but less than the combined thickness of the printing plate and its relief portions and the sheet to be printed.

10. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mounted to rotate on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means for clamping a sheet. metal printing plate' on said drum with its lines ot' writing transverse to the axis of said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum, means for inking said printing plate, and projecting portions at the heads of said drum and engaging said platen roller, said, portions projecting to .an extent greater than the` thickness ofl the fiat portions of said plate but less than the combinedv thickness of the printing plate and its relief portions and the sheet to be printed.

11. A duplicating apparatus for rinting from a printing plate that consists o a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mountr ed to rotate on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means for ,clamping a. sheet metal printing plate on said drum with its lines of Writing transverse tothe axis of said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said plate and drum, means for inking sald printing plate,and adjustable spacing means between said platen roller and drum.

12. A. duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mounted to rotate on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means for clamping a sheet metal printing plate 0n said drum with its lilies of writing transverse to the axis of said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum, means for inking said print.- ing plate, spacing members between said plate drum and platen roller, said spacing members being adjustable angularly on said drum, and means for fastening said spacing members in adjusted position.

13. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that'consists o'l" metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mounted to rotate. on said support parts, means for driving said drum, means for clamping a sheet metal printing plate on said drum with its lin-es of writing transverse to the axis of said drum, a platen roller, 'means for forcing said platen roller againstsaid printing plate and drum, means for inking said printing plate, projecting portions at' the heads of said drum and engaging said platen roller, said portions projecting to an extent greater than the thickness of the flat portions ot' said plate but less than the combined thickness of the printing plate and its relief portions and the sheet to be printed, and spacing means between said platen roller and said drum, said spacing means being angularly adjustable on said drum.

14. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheel having relief printing characters thereon, comprising support parts, a drum mounted to rotate on said support parts, means for drivingsaid drum, means for clamping a sheet metal printing plate on said drum with its lines of writing transverse to the axis of said drum, a platen roller, means for forcing said platen roller against said printing plate and drum, means for inking said printing plate, and means formaintainingthe active surfaces of said drum and platen roller at a distance apart less than 'the combined thickness ofi the printing plate and the sheet to be printed.

15. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon, comprismg a supporting member for said printing plate, a platen member, an inking ribbon arranged between said printing plate and-platen member, means for supporting and feeding said inking ribbon, means for pressing said supporting member and platen member against each other, with llO the inking'ribbon and a work sheetA to be printed between them, means forproducing a displacement of the surface of the print- 'ing plate with relation to the platen member inthe direction of the lines ofy writing of said printing plate, and means for maintaining the active surfaces of` said supporting.

member and platen member at a distance c 16. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet having relief printing characters thereon,comprising a'supporting meinber for said printing plate, a platen member, an inking ribbon arranged between said printing Aplate and laten member, means for supporting 4and feeding said inking ribbon, means for displacing and pressing the surface of the printing plate with relation to the platen member, and means for maintaining the active surfaces of said supporting member and platen member at 'a distance apart greater than the combined thickness of the flat portions of said printing plate and the inking ribbon, but less than the combined thickness of the printing plate and its relief portions, the inking ribbon and a work sheet to be' printed.

17. A duplicating apparatus for printing from a printing plate that consists of a metal sheet yhaving relief printing characters thereon, comprising supporting parts,

a drum mounted to rotate on said supporting parts, means for clamping a sheet metal printing plate on saiddrum, a'platen roller, an inking ribbon arranged between said printing plate and platen roller, means for supporting and feeding said inking ribbon, means for forcing said drum and platen roller against each other with said printing plate, inking ribbon and a`work sheet to be printed therebetween, and means for maintaining the active surfaces of said drum and platen roller at a distance` apart greater than the combined thickness of the fiat portions of said printing plate and the inlcing ribbon, but less than thevcombined thickness of the printing plate and its relief portions, the inking ribbon and the work sheet.

In testimony whereofl We aiiix our signatures.

GIOVANNI BERTIN ET'II. EDGARDO GATTINO. 

